Commissioning editor

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly
• specialist courses run by professional bodies

University

To become a commissioning editor, it will help if you a have a degree. The subject you choose is not usually important but relevant subjects include:

• publishing
• creative writing
• journalism

If you want to work for a specialist publication like a technical, medical or scientific journal, you may need a degree in that subject instead.

You could do a postgraduate qualification in publishing or digital publishing but it's not essential.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Publishing Professional Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, which may help you to get a trainee or assistant editor role with an organisation.

This typically takes around 2 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and off-site study.

Entry requirements:

Work

You'll usually start out as an editorial assistant and work your way up.

There's a lot of competition for jobs so you may find it easier if you have a degree.

Volunteering

You'll need some experience before you apply for your first job in publishing.

To build up your experience you can:

• volunteer for student or local newspapers
• write and promote a blog on a certain topic
• send articles to local newspapers or websites

This is also a good way to get to know people who work in the industry. This will help as many jobs are not advertised.

DirectApplication

If you have specialist subject knowledge, you can apply directly for commissioning editor jobs in academic publishing.

OtherRoutes

You could take a proofreading or editing course from the Publishing Training Centre or the Society for Editors and Proofreaders .

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• knowledge of English language
• knowledge of media production and communication
• the ability to read English
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent written communication skills
• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to use your initiative
• thinking and reasoning skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• administration skills
• business management skills
• concentration skills
• a good memory
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Commissioning editors request or buy authors, book titles and ideas to publish them.

As a commissioning editor you could:

• keep up to date with trends in publishing
• decide whether to publish an author's work
• develop ideas for books and choose suitable authors
• write proposals, including predicted cost and sales information
• decide when to reprint, revise or produce a new edition
• make sure schedules are followed and deadlines are met

Location : You could work in an office.

Salary:

Starter : £25,000
Experienced : £50,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 39 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends away from home

Career Path:

With experience, you could become a senior commissioning editor, editorial manager, director or you could work as a freelance consultant.